New Update Apple releases final iOS 17.4 build with new emoji, CarPlay update, EU App Store changes

[enaph]

Apple has confirmed it will release the final version of iOS 17.4, officially bringing the software update out of beta. iOS 17.4 is packed with changes including new emoji characters, podcast transcriptions, virtual Apple Cash card numbers, and much more. The update also addresses Digital Markets Act regulatory requirements in the EU with support for competing app marketplaces and other changes where required.

Apple releases iOS 17.4 with new emoji, CarPlay update, more

Apple has confirmed it will release the final version of iOS 17.4, officially bringing the software update out of beta....

9to5mac.com

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

iOS 17.4 is Out With DMA Changes for EU Users

Here are the biggest changes included in iOS 17.4

Alternative app stores (EU only): EU users will be able to install alternative App Stores from the web. Epic Games already announced that it will bring its Epic Games Store to iOS in 2024.

Alternative browser engines (EU only): EU users will be able to install and use web browsers that use other engines than Apple’s WebKit.

Default browser choice (EU only): When opening Safari for the first time, EU users will see a ballot screen where they can choose their default web browser and get it from the App Store if it’s not already installed.

Alternative payment options in apps (EU only): Developers can now offer alternative payment options for their apps in the App Store.

New emoji: This update adds new mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji

Apple Podcasts transcripts: The Apple Podcasts app now offers automated transcripts in English, Spanish, French and German

Music recognition: The built-in music recognition feature via Siri on iOS now lets users add identified songs to their libraries in Apple Music.

Siri improvements: The AI assistant can now announce received messages in any supported language

Stolen Device Protection: The security feature introduced on iOS 17.3 now offers the option for increased security in all locations.

Battery Health improvements: The feature now shows more details including battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Apple Cash virtual card numbers: iPhone users can now pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t yet accept Apple Pay by typing in their number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill.

Apple has also released iPadOS 17.4 today, but this update doesn’t include all the DMA-related changes that Apple made in iOS 17.4. That’s because iPadOS, which has a smaller user base than iOS, wasn’t designated by the EU Commission as a “core platform service” that needs to be regulated under the DMA.

While iPadOS users in the EU won’t be able to enjoy alternative app stores and alternative browser engines, they’re still getting new emoji, Apple Podcasts transcripts, and the rest of the iOS 17.4 updates that aren’t related to the DMA.

iOS 17.4 is Out With DMA Changes for EU Users

As the EU Digital Markets Act's compliance deadline arrives, iOS 17.4 brings changes to how the platform and the App Store work for EU users

www.thurrott.com

 

[Gandalf_The_Grey]

Apple Will Let iOS Users in the EU Delete Safari Later This Year

Apple has detailed more upcoming changes to iOS in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act. In a DMA compliance report spotted by The Verge, the company explained that it’s planning to allow iOS users in the EU to uninstall its Safari browser.

This option should become available “by the end of 2024,” Apple said in the compliance document. To ensure compliance with the DMA, Microsoft also had to allow Windows 11 users in the EU to uninstall its Edge browser.

Apple already allows all iOS users to uninstall many apps like Apple Music and Apple Maps, and the company also lets them choose another default browser than Safari. However, the iOS 17.4 update released earlier this week went a bit further for EU users.

First of all, iOS 17.4 introduced a new browser choice screen when users in the EU first open Safari on their iPhones. This lets them choose another default browser and download it from the App Store if it’s not already installed.

Moreover, Apple also authorized iOS developers to implement alternative browser engines in the EU. However, developers will first need to request and obtain a “Web Browser Engine Entitlement” from Apple” that will ensure that their alternative browser engines meet certain security and privacy criteria.

Both Google and Firefox announced last year that they were working on new iOS browsers powered by Blink and Gecko, respectively. While we have yet to hear any news about these new mobile browsers, more choices in browser engines on iOS will be good for competition and security. Because yes, all browsers on iOS using the same Webkit engine means that you can’t choose a more secure alternative if Apple happens to be slow to fix any security flaws in WebKit.

Apple’s DMA compliance document also mentions other upcoming changes to iOS in the EU, including more data portability features. The company said that a data transfer solution for web browsers on the same device will be available by late 2024/early 2025. Apple is also aiming to release “more user-friendly solutions” to transfer data from an iPhone to an Android phone by fall 2025

Apple Will Let iOS Users in the EU Delete Safari Later This Year

Apple has detailed more upcoming changes to iOS in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act, including allowing iOS users to uninstall Safari.

www.thurrott.com

 

[silversurfer]

Just for the record, security update already released March 21, 2024: iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1

About the security content of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1

This document describes the security content of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1.

support.apple.com